Shorebirds of the eastern Bering Sea

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Abstract

Largely on the basis of work conducted in western Alaska since 1975, we present an overview of the shorebird resources of the region and discuss their relationship to the littoral and supralittoral habitats of the area. Thirty species of shorebirds occur regularly and comprise an important component of the eastern Bering Sea ecosystem. For a third of these species the region supports the main Alaska population-for several species, the main North American population. In winter and spring littoral areas are generally ice-fast and little used by shorebirds. After breeding, there is a pronounced movement of shorebirds to coastal areas throughout the region. Populations regularly swell into the millions, many relying entirely on littoral habitats while undergoing molt and premigratory fat deposition. The extensive intertidal of the Yukon Delta and lagoons of the Alaska Peninsula are used by more species, in greater numbers, and for longer periods than other areas within the region. The timing of fall migration shows considerable variation by area, species, and age. The susceptibility of the most common shorebird species to disturbances from petroleum development is discussed.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Shorebirds of the eastern Bering Sea
Chapter 41
DOI 10.5962/bhl.title.61718
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher U.S. Deptartment of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Marine Pollution Assessment
Publisher location Seattle, WA
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 20 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title The Eastern Bering Sea Shelf: Oceanography and Resources
First page 719
Last page 738
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Eastern Bearing Sea
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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